As expected, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who has been keeping distance from Modi, as also his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi, were conspicuous by their absence.

However, Bihar BJP president C P Thakur attended the ceremony.

Modi's mother Heeraben, who was also present, was seen flashing the victory sign.

Modi greeted all prominent leaders present at the ceremony before taking oath in Gujarati amid chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai (Victory be to mother India).

Narendra Modi sworn in Gujarat CM, ally JD(U) boycott ceremony

Ahmedabad

Narendra Modi, who powered BJP to an emphatic victory in Gujarat, was today sworn in as Chief Minister for the fourth time at the head of a 17-member ministry, in a ceremony boycotted by Opposition Congress and NDA ally JD(U).

Modi was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Kamla Beniwal at a public ceremony marked by the presence of a galaxy of top BJP leaders and allies as also conspicuous absence of any representative of key alliance partner JD(U) and Opposition Congress.

Modi, who became Chief Minister for the first time in 2001 and again in 2002 and 2007, was sworn in along with seven ministers of Cabinet rank